STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — The Stuart City Commission voted 3-2 Monday night to fire City Manager Mike Mortell without cause, ending his two-decade career with the city.
The decision followed hours of public comment but little explanation from commissioners about what prompted the move.
According to a city spokesperson, Mortell will receive 20 weeks of severance pay — $102,200 — as required by his employment contract. His most recent annual salary was $265,000.
Finance Director Louis “Jolee” Boglioli has been named interim city manager while commissioners decide how to fill the position permanently.
Documents obtained by CBS12 News
Commissioner Sean Reed, who made the motion to fire Mortell, provided CBS12 News with several records from Mortell’s personnel file.
A January 2019 memo from the city’s Human Resources Director describes a dispute over merit-pay increases and cites Mortell’s “aggressive email and verbal debating tactics.”
A July 2020 complaint accused Mortell and an assistant of unprofessional behavior, including altering shortcuts on a coworker’s phone to insert inappropriate phrases such as “porn studio” and “my lover.”
Mortell denied wrongdoing, and no disciplinary action was recorded in the file.
Police body-camera video
Body-camera footage dated October 2, 2025 appears to show a Martin County Sheriff’s deputy pulling Mortell over with his dog in the passenger seat.
When asked about his driver’s license, Mortell said he was unaware it had been suspended.
An internal email provided to CBS12 News by Commissioner Reed shows that the Stuart Police Chief informed city officials that Mortell was verbally notified on September 16 that his driver’s license was suspended.
The email also states that the Martin County Sheriff’s deputy who conducted the October 2 traffic stop confirmed Mortell was released instead of arrested because he told the deputy he was unaware of the suspension.
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Next steps
City officials say the severance funds were already included in this year’s budget.
Commissioners are expected to discuss the search for a permanent city manager at their next meeting in early November.
This story will be updated as additional information and responses become available.